Your Commissions, Jill

I am working on the last piece and hope to be finished with it on Sunday, then complete the mat cutting and mounting of all thirteen. Here are the 12 others that you asked to be done... ready for inspection. If there are any matters you would like changed just ring me or send an email. I am working graveyard shifts the next two nights. 

Drawing layers of hair in graphite

I have been asked how to layer graphite and what pencils to use, hence the new blog finally being brought together.

To shape how the hair will fall, I use a 2H pencil. Do not press too hard or you will make indents in the paper that will cause issues with the further darker applications. This is just to "map" out, shape and cover white of the paper.

Secondly, I use a B pencil to start building the density, add more shape/tone and movement. This commission has dark shadows around the back of the style and darker at the face. The light shined on the bulk of curve. Use different pressures in different directions so that the hair is not superficial, more natural. Watch how the light plays on the surface and directions of each hair.

Now start using a 2B pencil for layers of tones. Get lost in how each strand builds a more natural look.

Use a 5B to add the shadows, and eraser for light to make a more dimensional look. Put a stray hair or groups of hair out of place to give a more natural look.

Continue to push and pull the pencil layers until you are happy with the finished project.


Here are some other finished projects I have completed.

I promise I am working

You have gotta love Christmas season. I am keeping up with commissions while starting a new job at Big W and still doing some hours at the service station. Household duties and blog have been taking a step back. Just a catch up on some of the pieces I have completed.

Western Australian parents of a friend:

Client's mother in law:

Client's father in law:

Client's son-in-law's Jaja:

Now working on a client's father in law twice, then her mother twice and sister in law's mother. Then a family of 7 people. When I can get a sit down time I photographed the mother in law's hair as I worked in stages to show build up and did the same with the sun spots of Jaja. I will write up the posts soon.

Watercolour portrait Weekend- "One Eye Wide Open"

It was that kind of crazy long weekend that makes you want to scream lol.... So I got out the inktense pencils to see what I could come up with.

Doing that 1930s style with modern colours kind of day. It just takes a bit of layering and playfulness. I will set her aside for a couple of days and decide what if I want to do anything else with her.

Now onto the serious work.... Beginning number 2 of the same portrait. I have 2 total of this gentleman for a family christmas present extraordinary. I will finish him this morning and get going on the mother in law. (If you follow this blog you might remember the earlier portrait done of this gentleman for the client earlier this year. )

Pinterest
Have you been hooked into the Pinterest trend? I had no desire to go around pinning things until I realised "I already do". When I am research art history, art shows, methodology, etc. I save articles, pictures, etc. So I went onto Pinterest and now hooked. When looking for how the art trends are moving I pin it now instead of the loading my hard drive with stuff to look at. Give it a go... set up boards with pictures you are gathering for your next painting idea.

Family Support of an Artist
I have decided that as much as my boys says they support me pursuing artwork, they thought it would only be when they don't want something or attention. There is no respect in being around the work I am doing, or for myself when I am doing it. The statement clincher this weekend "you are going to draw...but your husband is home." So I have began researching an article for this blog about family support, nagging and their belief that art is not really a "job" because it doesn't have a week to week pay check. Time management for yourself is nothing if you don't get your 48 and 23 year old babies to be less dependant. Any suggestions for research material would be greatly appreciated: crofttravels609@yahoo.com.au. Hmmmm at a job I was lucky to clear $300 a week, in the 2 months I have been unemployed I have netted $2500 between artwork, yard sales, ebay plus have put applications into 58 jobs and worked 2 days a week at old job for rent money. Imagine if I really inputed time into the effort how much I could earn.

Back in Action - getting show ready

Feels good to get back to the drawing table, it took awhile to get the mind back into the groove of thinking out how I want something to lay out or tell. This week is finishing touches on pieces for the Springwood Art Show on 24th August to the 26th of August. I have got three pieces finished and framed, just need the wire to hook them up...but the last piece isn't finished.

First piece, "Bourbon Street Snooze", is graphite and watercolour pencil. Just subtle touches of colour in the composition to give a slower side of the fast pace of Bourbon Street. In a crowd of many this guy was resting in a doorway like no one was around. It touched me, and I hope it touches someone else with its undertones of suggestion.

Second piece, "Quilted history", is a collage of newspaper, card paper and scrapbook designed paper with oil pastel painting of the character and gold ribbon in the quilt pieces' ditches. The art of quilting is fading away, material has become to expensive, women don't have the time or patience for it and modern society finds going to a store more convenient than making your own blankets. There is more to the history of this work than just making a warm piece to your home - it is art, history, community togetherness, women bonding and making use of your resources. 

The third, "New Orleans Blues", is a collage of music paper, acrylic paint and ink. I drew this out while sitting at the hotel in New Orleans. It is a feeling that you get while hearing music there, a sort of vibration that reaches out to touch your heart beating with it. There is no face to the person playing, and his instrument is the torch between you both.









The fourth piece is a joker carrying a bag pipe through a crowd of people. The joker is the only one in colour, everyone else blends into everything else. It takes a lot of guts for a person to come strolling around a festival full of people dressed in purple tights and bag pipes. This piece will be about being your own person even when the odds are against you. I'll post a break down of it being completed (hopefully by Thursday for the show).

The other piece completed this month I am not sure if it is telling the story to another person as I feel it. This gentleman was playing his guitar busking on Beale Street with a big man playing the drums. He sat there with this cigarette hanging out of his mouth, but never did his fingers leave the strings, ashes just fell onto his legs as he played with his eyes closed and swaying with what the chords were doing with him. If I would have had the money their CD would have been bought. The emotions from this man were compelling. I stood there drinking in his features, mood and melody. To be that close with one's art makes me want to cry. I have only painted his image, I need to go deeper into what he made me feel.






For September I will be getting more work together for the Blackheath Art Prize. It runs 28th September to 1st of October. Maybe I can get my groove back for it. I have entered the Springwood Show for the past 3 years, but this will be my first for Blackheath.

Cheers!

USA Art stops in Kansas and Nebraska

We are having a great time at Mom's house in Kansas. There have been so many things to see that I didn't know the state had to offer.

Keystone Gallery on US 83 in Scott City, Kansas is a little stone house on the praise. The main features of this gallery are the fossil of the area, other states and Africa. It is a very nice set up and Chuck is a great guide to understanding all the different aspects of the state's prehistoric past. The artwork consists of paintings by local artists and pieces made from rocks, crystals and fossils. My mother got some great buffalos carved from stones (the indian blanket stone was the most interesting) and the paintings were mostly acrylic of landscapes. Our amateur art critic standing - carvings and jewellery pieces were outstanding for quality, the paintings needed more work in shading and seemed flat.

Also in Scott City is the El Quartelejo Museum and Jerry Thomas Gallery. The museum is set up as a timeline of Kansas History with beautiful displays about the Pueblo house found, settlers and local characters. Jerry Thomas Gallery is the most amazing setup I have seen. It not only holds his beautiful work, it houses history pieces that he used for the paintings and artwork that he has collected. His work with birds is better than any I have ever seen and the fort scenes have great detail that leads your eyes though it all. Mom fell in love with "Monumental Journey" but felt the groundwork was too flat to accompany such intricate work of the horses, Mounument Rocks and indians. This is a must stop in art tourism! and while you are in town visit Monument Rocks. This place left me itching to set up an easel and stay all day. Flat Kansas landscape opens up into the golith rock structures that are captivating.

In McCook, Nebraska there was a little art shop in town to be visited. They hold stain glass classes monthly and the work is stunning in this area. The artwork displayed was local artists and nothing there grabbed at us as a gotta have or aspire to. It is a wonderful town with inspirational views and buildings begging to be worked up on canvas.

I didn't get a photo of this gallery in Hays, Kansas, but it is a must stop on the artist trail. The work here is thoughtful, inspirational and provoking. A mix of medias and genres, each room holds something to keep you working the mind of possibilities. It's address is 112 East 11th Street in Hays and done by the Hays Art Council. The current Smoky Hill Exhibition runs until June 7th. I wish I had a scanner on this trip to show some of the pieces from the catalog, some of the images are available at www.haysartscouncil.org. My favourite is Gordon K. Sherman from Hays called "It just don't stick" and Barbara WAterman-Peters of Topeka, KS "MWS: Two Pandoras (POP!)".

There are murals and statues in every town that are must see inspiration:

Mural in Russell, KS is intricate detailed.

another in Russell, KS.

Oakley, KS huge dedication to Buffalo Bill Cody.

and inspirational places to set up easel:

Colby, KS museum with old church, schoolhouse, largest barn in KS, sod house, standard red barn and the museum is full of local history laid out beautifully. They were holding a local art show while we were there that had some great work.

Ft. Hays, KS has some original buildings, great vistas, buffalo and surroundings that bring history to life.

One of the largest Van Gogh easels in Goodland, KS. There were 7 of them made around the world of Van Gogh's 7 sunflower paintings. Makes you want to hire a crane to make a huge painting eh?

and my last inspirational item of this blog is the Old Town Museum in Burlington, Colorado. We bought two pieces here (darn need to find the artist's name, I have already shipped mine back to Australia). There are pictures within for you to find. The watercolour work itself is detailed stunning, Mom's piece is a forest background with rocks and water flowing over them. Within this setting you can find the faces of indians in the rocks, leaves of trees, etc. So far we found 11. There is also dried buffalo bones with etchings of pioneer history, rocks painted with local scenes, etc. The shop was great! Then the museum was outstanding. The outside is buildings set up as they would have been through pioneer history: the bank, post office, saloon, blacksmith, etc. If you are looking for content of historical painting this is the place to go.

Well off for now. This weekend is Fort Dodge wild west shootouts and Arlington Steam Train. Next week we set off for Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Always have pencils and sketchbook in hand!

It has been a full on couple of weeks with birthdays and work, but I am trying to finish too many projects at once has my head spinning. The bedroom walls still have 2 more to paint, bathroom needs a second coat and cleaned, wardrobe and bed of main bedroom need to be scrubbed of mildew and the cleaning has been put off because I can't be bothered.
Then onto the art stuff.... quilt/sewing machine painting is almost complete, Jenny's fishing boys have been started, a dog series of cards to be made, frames to be decorated, matting cut, got 3 more portrait commissions, girl with horse is still sitting on the drawing table and I just finished a piece for Full Metal Jousting calling for drawings. All this on top of a full time job.... I'm tired, but will get it all done. Craig tells me just take one at a time and they will all come together. He is getting a long weekend and will take over the bedroom and bathroom tasks - Yeah!

Full Metal Jousting is a program on the History channel with full contact (no show lances) contests. I interviewed a lovely couple back when I was doing some travel writing and follow them on Facebook (mostly to see the lovely horses) and if I ever pick up another article to get published. One of them posted a call for writing, pictures or drawings for a contest with subject being the program. I thought it would be fun and started....but I didn't realise there was not much time before it was to be turned in. So I rushed through it a bit, but I think it came together alright. There are not that many reference photos of their armour to go by, so I "invented" some of the details.

I asked my friends and family to send me photos of their dogs for a series of cards. My card rack at the service station is getting a bit low so another printing is to be ordered. I keep cards here with my business name printed on back of art pieces I've done that customers have watched me put together and photographs. It is another marketing showcase, that is not a huge money maker but paid for one of my college courses and keeps me in art materials. I hope to one day be able to do a bigger printing to get other shops to carry the line. (Hopefully be a part of a regular income if I ever go full time artist). Here is the first of this series, "Ginger Doll". She is pen/ink with a drawing nib. 

Well the service station is picking up again (Oh yeah)... so that is all for today. I have to start those commissions this weekend and finish something on the house. So will keep you updated.

Norman Lindsay Gallery's Life Drawing

What a wonderful four days to spend doing what you love! The atmosphere at the gallery grounds was astounding, the teacher (David Newman-White) was outstanding, the models were wonderful and the lessons were inspiring. This is worth everything you can do to attend. There were people there from Victoria, Queensland and all around New South Wales - 14 in all.

Day one - Graphite pencil, continuous line with reference artist being Kimon Nicolaides (model: Passon)

Foreshortening was a definate challenge! Passion was a beautiful model - wish I had more time with her.

Day 2 - Conte Crayon, light & shade, artist inspiration: Kathe Kollwitz, model: Natasha

Conte Crayon is not my friend, but it will be nice to learn control of pressure for different tones.

Day 3 - Willow charcoal, form & anatomy, artist inspiration: Lucien Freud, model: Rodney

Another medium to learn pressure for different tones. I loved Rodney as a model, would love to do character drawings with him. He is so versatile with his look. Wish I could have captured him better.

Day 4 - Willow and compressed charcoal, artist inspiration: Norman Lindsay, model: Berinice Doray

Another beautiful model and I am starting to get the hang of the charcoal. The top one we had to cover the entire page with willow then notch out the white with an eraser and follow up with compressed charcoal. That was fun and can't wait to do more.

All of the classes were very inspirational and my mind is racing to do heaps more. I definitely want to work up this quick sketches as well. I was scared at first because of never had taken a drawing class or life drawing before. There is a lot of studying I need to do on anatomy and measuring.

David is holding a portrait workshop in Lithgow each month from February to May with colour. I so wish I could do each of them, but there is only 4 spots in each, they cost $200 per session and I have to work every Saturday. Check out David's website at www.newmanwhite.com.au...he has amazing portrait pieces.

Bye for now...I am back to 12 hour days again, plus I have an essay due on the Renaissance for Monday.

Working through Creation

As world took so long to create, so does time for me to create make. The job is back to 6 days a week and on the 7th day is not a restful one. That is when to catch up on grocery shopping, cleaning, errads and the lot. We have also began renovating the house so that I can have a bigger studio area than the corner of the dining room. An hour a day and a few more on the day off and the walls are finally done with the trim's first coat drying. Hopefully the studio will be done this week.

I have made some play time at the shop. Graphite detail is my love, but takes so much time. I have brought out the chalk pastels to experiment. I started a portrait of my son to give to my Daddy for Father's Day, but didn't get it complete until the week after. There is still priming to be done whenever there is a sunny day on my day off. (I took the photo at 5am so light isn't the best.)

My husband loves information and lore on Ned Kelly, so on my husband's birthday this month I took him to see the Kelly Gang armour and Irish immigrant collection at the National Museum in Canberra, ACT. Of course our Irish roots began showing so an experiment with Celtic tones had to be undertaken.

Mawrth is Welsh for March; fire and flame feature strongly in Celtic myth and is symbolic of the power of the sun; The number three held special importance in Celtic belief and the triskele in motion shows its spiritual strength; a triangle consisting of three circles was the mark of divinity or holiness and was used by many in their markings (tattoo). I used the word March for symbolism in the "Beware the Ides of March". Putting it all together she is a druidess with divinity markings and great spiritual power brought by the sun to protect from harmful spirits. March is the month of winds and that is why she is clutching her hooded shawl in the front of her and hair is blowing wildly.

It is a bit too comicbookish for me, but was great fun to experiment with. I mainly was practicing control with the lines and getting some perpective dimisions. I am not a great fan of colour because I have shading issues to get depth and my beloved realism. So I made this full of colour to try and break my fear of it.

Time is about to get even more constrained for this household, I have found a University to finish my BA in Fine and Visual Art. They also have a program for undergrad diploma in secondary education. My life aspiraiton has alway been to become an art teacher. We will see with how hectic life's schedule can get as to how I go with completing my life's goal. Crossing fingers and saying lots of prayers!

Until I can write again....may peace and love follow your days.